Hall of Fame

Minniecon move off

Mercurial Gold Coast United striker Tahj Minniecon's proposed shift to Newcastle looks to be off the cards.

Mercurial Gold Coast United striker Tahj Minniecon's proposed shift to Newcastle looks to be off the cards.

The 22-year-old hurt his heel in United's 3-1 National Youth League win away to Sydney FC and was on crutches at their training session at Carrara on Tuesday.

The former Roar whizkid has had an injury-plagued spell on the Glitter Strip with his most recent pre-season interrupted due to fitness concerns, leaving him with only one A-League appearance this term.

Minniecon has also struggled with form, as the club's other young attackers have leapfrogged him in the pecking order. At times, he has even been overlooked for selection with their NYL team.

He looked set to switch to the Jets - reportedly in a swap deal with Chris Payne - as a prime target of Gary van Egmond, who looms as a major player in the transfer market as he moves to rebuild his squad.

But news of Minniecon's latest injury will put van Egmond's pursuit of him on hold, leaving the under-23 marquee player high and dry and on the outer at Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, captain Michael Thwaite hopes the club's billionaire owner, Clive Palmer, will to listen to the players for ideas on how to approach their future.

All bar up to eight United players come off-contract this season and few have begun discussions of renewals at this stage, their skipper included.